Leo looks for new opponents

WALES will play England’s World Cup opponents Paraguay in a friendly at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Wednesday, March 1. Trinidad and Tobago, who will also face Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men in Germany next summer had wanted to play Wales on that date in London. But Wales have opted for a tougher test against the South Americans, who are ranked 30th in the FIFA rankings. John Toshack’s side have risen one place to 71st in this month’s rankings. Wales have often been the team of choice for countries preparing to face England in World Cup finals. They played Tunisia before France 98, losing 4-0 away, and drew 1-1 with Argentina in Cardiff before the last World Cup.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Leo Beenhakker spent the weekend in England continuing his scouting of players this time taking a look at former Bolton Wanderers forward Ricky Shakes as he ran out for Swindon Town. But while making his way around the Dutch coach also found himself in search of a new opposition for a warm-up when Wales opted out of a proposed fixture. Meanwhile, reports out of Jamaica indicate that discussions are taking place between the English FA and the Jamaicanns over a possible friendly. JFF Vice President George Evans has confirmed this. Special Advisor to the TT Football Federation Jack Warner and Beenhakker have been trying to finalise the list of internationals before the World Cup.

Scotland, Northern Ireland and Norway are also possible teams for the warm-up match on March 1, but Beenhakker, a former Real Madrid manager will now try to finalise who faces the Soca Warriors on what is the only FIFA international date for friendlies before the World Cup next June. Warner is adamant that TT will not be left behind in the build-up to Germany 2006 and so far he has seen Beenhakker making the necessary effort to ensure the same. Swindon deputy chairman Mark Devlin confirmed that Beenhakker was at the venue on the weekend after he had requested tickets to the match. But Devlin only knew he was present  after a friend pointed out that the TT head coach was in the stands. 

Shakes did not start in the 0-0 draw with Blackpool but eventually came on in the 61st minute. “I went downstairs to look at the list of those who had asked for tickets and there he was. Hopefully he was impressed with what he saw of Ricky,” Devlin said. Beenhakker was one of 5,766 spectators for a match that saw Town reduce ticket prices on a Saturday that traditionally attracts poor attendances all over England. He is now expected to continue looking at other possible additions to the Soca Warriors line-up. “We have our eyes open and of course we also need to keep informed as to what the other teams are doing and what our players are doing. This is the World Cup and of course there’s every reason to enjoy what’s happening but you also have to ensure that you know what you are doing and how you must prepare for it,” Beenhakker said.